Target and ramming game

ABSTRACT

A game comprising a baseboard on which is mounted a horizontally disposed wheel at one end of said board, said wheel bearing impact demountable figures, said board having toward its end opposite said wheel means for launching a projectile and a variable speed motor for rotating said wheel at various desired speeds.

United States Patent Inventor Tony Ferrer 677 Park Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11206 Appl. No. 841,305 Filed July 14,1969 Patented Oct. 5, 1971 TARGET AND RAMMING GAME 12 Claims, 1 Drawing Fig.

[1.8. CI 273/101, 273/102 AP, 124/24, 124/26, 273/102 S, 273/ 105.2 Int. Cl A63b 71/02 Field of Search 273/101,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 273,510 3/1883 Goldey 273/101 648,716 5/1900 Werner 124/21 1,804,450 5/1931 Allen..... 124/24 2,056,781 10/1936 Ford 273/127 3,231,280 1/1966 Collins 273/1056 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner--Marvin Siskind Attorney-Friedman and Goodman ABSTRACT: A game comprising a baseboard on which is mounted a horizontally disposed wheel at one end of said board, said wheel bearing impact demountable figures, said board having toward its end opposite said wheel means for launching a projectile and a variable speed motor for rotating said wheel at various desired speeds.

PATENTEUBBT 51971 3,610 523 INVENTOR.

TONY FEHIU'JR M At 01* eys TARGET AND RAMMING GAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a game of the type involving skill in knocking down objects positioned at a distance. More particularly, this invention relates to such a game in which impact demountable figures rotate through a path through which a projectile can be fired from a remotely positioned launching means.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art There are many games which are based on a player knocking down an object. These games generally take an unstructured form, i.e., there is no unitary game board structure which physically positions the target with respect to the launching means. Moreover, there is no such game which has means for rotating the targets through the normal path of the projectile at various predetermined speeds. Still moreover, there has never been provided such a game provided with alternate means for knocking down the impact demountable figures.

Thus, it has become desirable to provide such a game embodying all of these features together with certain other features related to playing the same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Broadly, this invention contemplates a game comprising a baseboard on which is mounted a horizontally disposed wheel at one end of said board, said wheelbearing impact demountable figures, said board having toward its end opposite said wheel, means for launching a projectile and a variable speed motor for rotating said wheel at various desired speeds.

In a particularly desirable embodiment, this invention contemplates such a game provided with alternative means for knocking said figures down, said means comprising a rammer mounted in a track in said board under tension and held in ramming position by a latch,'and means in the form of a bow held in firing position with respect to a projectile mounted therein. Preferably, said board has positioned thereto its end opposite the means for launching the projectile, a numbered board engageable by a projectile fired from said bow.

In a very desirable embodiment the variable speed motor is powered by a 1.5 v. battery in electromechanical relationship with said wheel.

BRIEF oascmvrrou or THE DRAWING The invention can be more readily understood and appreciated by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled game of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view partly in phantom of one of the soldiers mounted on the wheel, and

FIG. 4 is a detailed end view of the mechanical hinge assembly shown on the figure in FIG. 3.

DISCUSSION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT A specific embodiment of the target game of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying figures in which the game is generally designated by reference numeral 2. It comprises a horizontally disposed wheel 4 at one end thereof mounted on a board 6. The wheel is rotatable at varying speeds in response to a varying speed motor 8 positioned remotely at the opposite end of board 6 from wheel 4. The motor 8 is provided with a current regulator in dial l and switch 12. The motor is driven by a pair of ordinary 1.5 v. batteries. Mounted in front of motor 8 is the projectile firing means hereinafter described.

As indicated above, the game of the present invention has alternative missile-launching means. One form firing the pro jectile downrange is in the form ofa bow provided with a LII tensioned band 22 such as a rubber band. A leaf spring member 26 affixed to rammer 50 is positioned midway across the board 6 and the bow 20 and is positioned so as to fire a projectile, such as cannon ball pin 60, toward FIGS. 42, 44, 46 and 48 positioned and affixed to the horizontally disposed wheel.

FIGS. 42, 44, 46 and 48 are so affixed to wheel 4 that a projectilebeing fired from bow 20 can knock a figure down, the figure falling toward the center of the wheel. Thus these figures are referred to as impact demountable figures. Preferably, they take the form of soldiers or indians or the like. The figures are hinged to the wheel as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. As seen therein, a stationary member 62 is affixed to the wheel 4 via screw 63. At one end thereof, there is a hinge 64 to which is pivotally connected a generally inverted U- shaped member 66, a portion of which 68 passes over one side of the impact demountable figure as seen in FIG. 3. The figures thus fall in the direction indicated by arrow 69, i.e., toward the center of wheel 4.

As indicated above, the present game has two meansfor knocking down the figures mounted on wheel 4. The second means comprises a ram 50 having parallel opposing side members 72. The ram is rideable in a track on either side of board 6. The tracks are identified by oriented numerals 74 and 76. The ram is provided with lips 78 and 80 which ride within tracks 74 and 76 respectively. The ram 50 is held in tensioned position due to rubber band 81 held at 82 by a suitable holding means. The rubber band 81 is tensioned and the ram is restrained from proceeding down the track to strike wheel 4 by a holding latch 79 engaged between a side member 72 and the board 6.

The game is played by first determining how many tries a player has to strike and knock down the moving be on wheel 4. This is done by providing a numbered board preferably removably affixed to a member 91, integral with board 6, by means of a transversely oriented channel cut into member 91. Member 91 is distance-adjustable with respect to board'6 by virtue of telescoping member 92 rideable within board 6. A projectile is fired from bow 20 toward numbered board 90 to determine how many tries a player has. Since the numbered board is partly elevated the projectile holder in ram 50 is provided with a slot 93 so that the arrow 60 can be inclined to get the highest score. For this purpose an arrow such as arrow 97 can be used. However, if the game is played by young children, suction-cupped arrows such as arrow 98 may be employed. Moreover, since board 90 is removably affixed, the game may be more readily stored in a confined space.

The game is played very simply. After the number of turns for a player is determined the wheel is rotated employing motor 8. The wheel turns at a predetermined speed. The player may choose to knock down the figures on the wheel employing an arrow and bow 20. Alternatively, he may choose to knock down the figures employing the cannon ball pin 60 powered by the springing action of the leaf spring member 26. In yet another alternative, he may choose to drive the ram 50 i into the wheel 4 by releasing latch 79, hoping that the impact of the ram 50 will knock down at least one standing figure. When his tries have been exhausted another player takes his turn in the same manner. Or, the player may choose to employ any combination of means, just described, to knock down the moving figures.

Thus, by the present invention there is provided a target game requiring skill as well as chance, and moreover, one which provides a compact game having substantially all of its essential features in a unitary construction.

What is claimed is:

l. A game comprising a baseboard, a horizontally disposed wheel mounted at a first end of said baseboard, said wheel bearing at least one impact demountable figure, a variable speed motor disposed on said baseboard for rotating said wheel at various speeds, alternative means for knocking down said figure, one of said alternative means comprising a ram mounted in a track in said board, holding means disposed at a second end of said baseboard opposite side wheel for holding said ram under tension in a preset position at said second end of said board, another of said alternative means comprising means for launching a projectile, said launching means being disposed on saidrarn, said track including recess means provided in opposing sides of said baseboard and extending longitudinally from said second end to a position adjacent to said wheel, said ram being provided with opposing side members, said ram side members including lip means to ride within said track recess means so that said ram moves along said track to strike said wheel when said holding means are disengaged, and tension means for moving said ram towards said wheel.

2. A game according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of impact demountable figures are mounted on said wheel.

3. A game according to claim 2, wherein hinge means secure said impact demountable figures to said wheel so that said figures fall toward the center of said wheel when knocked down.

4. A game according to claim 3, wherein said hinge means includes a hinge assembly for each figure, said hinge assembly including a stationary member affixed to said wheel, a hinge integral with said stationary member, and a generally inverted U-shaped member rotatably connected to said hinge and engaging its associated figure.

5. A game according to claim 1, wherein said baseboard is provided with a vertically disposed numbered board disposed at said first end spaced from and opposite said launching means, and means telescopingly connecting said numbered board to said baseboard so that the distance between said numbered board and said launching means is adjustable by moving said numbered board in telescoping relationship with said baseboard.

6. A game comprising a baseboard, a horizontally disposed wheel mounted at a first end of said baseboard, said wheel bearing at least one impact demountable figure, a variable speed motor disposed on said baseboard for rotating said wheel at various speeds, alternative means for knocking down said figure, one of said alternative means comprising a ram mounted in a track in said board, holding means disposed at a second end of said baseboard opposite said wheel for holding said ram under tension in a preset position at said second end of said board, another of said alterpative means comprising means for launching a projectile, said launching means being disposed on said ram, said launching means including a bow held in firing position with respect to said projectile mounted therein, said ram being provided with opening means to accommodate said projectile mounted in said bow.

7. A game according to claim 6, wherein said projectile is an arrow-tipped shaft.

8. A game according to claim 6, wherein said projectile is a suction cup-tipped shaft.

9. A game according to claim 6, wherein hinge means secure said impact demountable figure to said wheel so that said figure falls toward the center of said wheel when knocked down.

10. A game comprising a baseboard, a horizontally disposed wheel mounted at a first end of said baseboard, said wheel bearing at least one impact demountable figure, a variable speed motor disposed on said baseboard for rotating said wheel at various speeds, alternative means for knocking down said figure, one of said alternative means comprising a ram mounted in a track in said board, holding means disposed at a second end of said baseboard opposite said wheel for holding said ram under tension in a preset position at said second end of said board, another of said alternative means comprising means for launching a projectile, said launching means being disposed on said ram, said projectile being a cannon ball pin launchable through said ram, said ram being provided with opening means to accommodate said cannon ball pin.

11. A game according to claim 10, wherein spring means are disposed on said ram for association with said cannon ball pin to launch said cannon ball pin through said opening means of said ram.

12. A game according to claim 10, wherein hinge means secure said impact demountable figure to said wheel so that said figure falls toward the center of said wheel when knocked down. 

1. A game comprising a baseboard, a horizontally disposed wheel mounted at a first end of said baseboard, said wheel bearing at least one impact demountable figure, a variable speed motor disposed on said baseboard for rotating said wheel at various speeds, alternative means for knocking down said figure, one of said alternative means comprising a ram mounted in a track in said board, holding means disposed at a second end of said baseboard opposite side wheel for holding said ram under tension in a preset position at said second end of said board, another of said alternative means comprising means for launching a projectile, said launching means being disposed on said ram, said track including recess means provided in opposing sides of said baseboard and extending longitudinally from said second end to a position adjacent to said wheel, said ram being provided with opposing side members, said ram side members including lip means to ride within said track recess means so that said ram moves along said track to strike said wheel when said holding means are disengaged, and tension means for moving said ram towards said wheel.
 2. A game according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of impact demountable figures are mounted on said wheel.
 3. A game according to claim 2, wherein hinge means secure said impact demountable figures to said wheel so that said figures fall toward the center of said wheel when knocked down.
 4. A game according to claim 3, wherein said hinge means includes a hinge assembly for each figure, said hinge assembly including a stationary member affixed to said wheel, a hinge integral with said stationary member, and a generally inverted U-shaped member rotatably connected to said hinge and engaging its associated figure.
 5. A game according to claim 1, wherein said baseboard is provided with a vertically disposed numbered board disposed at said first end spaced from and opposite said launching means, and means telescopingly connecting said numbered board to said baseboard so that the distance between said numbered board and said launching means is adjustable by moving said numbered board in telescoping relationship with said baseboard.
 6. A game comprising a baseboard, a horizontally disposed wheel mounted at a first end of said baseboard, said wheel bearing at least one impact demountable figure, a variable speed motor disposed on said baseboard for rotating said wheel at various speeds, alternative means for knocking down said figure, one of said alternative means comprising a ram mounted in a track in said board, holding means disposed at a second end of said baseboard opposite said wheel for holding said ram under tension in a preset position at said second end of said board, another of said alternative means comprising means for launching a projectile, said launching means being disposed on said ram, said launching means including a bow held in firing position with respect to said projectile mounted therein, said ram being provided with opening means to accommodate said projectile mounted in said bow.
 7. A game according to claim 6, wherein said projectile is an arrow-tipped shaft.
 8. A game according to claim 6, wherein said projectile is a suction cup-tipped shaft.
 9. A game according to claim 6, wherein hinge means secure said impact demountable figure to said wheel so that said figure falls toward the center of said wheel when knocked down.
 10. A game comprising a baseboard, a horizontally disposed wheel mounted at a first end of said baseboard, said wheel bearing at least one impact demountable figure, a variable speed motor disposed on said baseboard for rotating said wheel at various speeds, alternative means for knocking down said figure, one of said alternative means comprising a ram mounted in a track in said board, holding means disposed At a second end of said baseboard opposite said wheel for holding said ram under tension in a preset position at said second end of said board, another of said alternative means comprising means for launching a projectile, said launching means being disposed on said ram, said projectile being a cannon ball pin launchable through said ram, said ram being provided with opening means to accommodate said cannon ball pin.
 11. A game according to claim 10, wherein spring means are disposed on said ram for association with said cannon ball pin to launch said cannon ball pin through said opening means of said ram.
 12. A game according to claim 10, wherein hinge means secure said impact demountable figure to said wheel so that said figure falls toward the center of said wheel when knocked down. 